SP, Congress in alliance out of PM Modi's fear: BJP MP Giriraj Singh

Amid murmurs of growing discomfort between the top leadership of the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, the BJP and its NDA allies have targeted the gap. Calling it an unnatural alliance, BJP MP Giriraj Singh said both parties have come together out of fear of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Where does Rahul Gandhi have the strength to fight alone? If he steps into Uttar Pradesh on his own, getting out on zero is a certainty,” he said, describing their alliance as merely a family staying in a makeshift house.

Last week, union minister and Apna Dal (S) chief Anupriya Patel pointed out that there was a visible lack of coordination between the two allies even if they claim that they were fighting the elections together for the 2027 UP Assembly polls.

These recent jibes from the NDA leaders come as the leaders of parties in the INDIA bloc are set to meet in Delhi on September 30 for what is being described as a major meeting, with significant decisions expected on action against Gyanesh Kumar.

The meeting has also drawn attention because Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has decided not to attend. While the party has said he will be occupied with Rajya Sabha election-related meetings on candidate selection and that another party leader will represent the SP, his absence has raised concern in the Congress amid the continuing strain between the two parties over alliance talks and seat-sharing.

According to party sources, Akhilesh Yadav is, for now, looking to avoid a face-to-face meeting with the top Congress leadership. There is a view within political circles that if Akhilesh Yadav, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi are seen together, the discussion is bound to turn to seat-sharing and the ongoing tug of war between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party.

The Congress has been pressing the Samajwadi Party to quickly finalise both the number of seats and the constituencies each party will contest. The party believes any further delay could hurt it politically. Akhilesh Yadav, however, is not keen to move quickly on the issue and is seen as unwilling to enter seat-sharing discussions at this stage. It is being suggested that his decision to stay away from the INDIA bloc meeting is linked, at least for now, to his effort to avoid such talks.

At a press conference, Akhilesh Yadav said that just as the BJP and its allies may appear to be at odds outwardly while remaining together internally, a similar situation exists between the SP and the Congress.

Last week, tensions came to a head between the two allies after Akhilesh's visit to Congress stronghold Raebareli triggered a war of words, with the Grand Old Party saying it would do the same in SP bastions. Veteran SP leader Shivpal Yadav hit back at the Congress, saying that doing so would not earn it any votes.- Ends